Easy Asian Cucumber Salad Recipe
Introduction
This Easy Asian Cucumber Salad is a refreshing and flavorful side dish perfect for warm days or any time you want a light, crisp snack. With a perfect balance of tangy, sweet, and spicy notes, it comes together quickly and complements a variety of meals.
Ingredients
- 5 Persian cucumbers
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tbsp sesame oil
- 3/4 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1/2–1 tbsp sugar (adjust to taste)
- 3/4 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp chili oil
- 1/2 tbsp sesame seeds
- 1/2 tbsp minced garlic (optional)
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse the cucumbers and slice off one end at a sharp angle.
- Step 2: Continue slicing the cucumbers at the same angle to create oval-shaped pieces. Adjust the thickness according to your preference.
- Step 3: Place the sliced cucumbers in a bowl or container and sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Mix well.
- Step 4: Refrigerate the salted cucumbers for at least 20 minutes to draw out excess water.
- Step 5: Drain the liquid from the cucumbers and rinse them quickly under cold water for about 10 seconds. Return the cucumbers to the bowl.
- Step 6: Add sesame oil, light soy sauce, sugar, rice vinegar, chili oil, sesame seeds, and minced garlic if using.
- Step 7: Stir everything until well combined. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Tips & Variations
- Adjust the amount of sugar to balance the tartness and heat according to your taste.
- For extra crunch, chill the cucumbers after mixing the dressing before serving.
- Substitute Persian cucumbers with English cucumbers if needed, but peel them if the skin is thick.
- Add chopped fresh cilantro or green onions for an herbaceous twist.
Storage
Store the salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The cucumbers may become softer over time, so it is best enjoyed fresh. Re-stir before serving, and you can add a splash of soy sauce or chili oil if the flavors have mellowed.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use regular cucumbers instead of Persian cucumbers?
Yes, you can use English or other cucumbers. If the skin is thick or waxy, peeling them first can improve texture and flavor.
Is the garlic necessary in this salad?
Garlic is optional and adds a nice kick, but the salad is delicious even without it. You can adjust or omit it based on your preference.
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Easy Asian Cucumber Salad Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Easy Asian Cucumber Salad is a refreshing and flavorful side dish perfect for warm days or as a crisp accompaniment to your meals. Featuring thinly sliced Persian cucumbers dressed with a tangy and slightly spicy mix of soy sauce, rice vinegar, chili oil, and sesame flavors, this salad is quick to prepare and delivers a perfect balance of sweet, salty, and spicy notes.
Ingredients
Cucumbers
- 5 Persian cucumbers
- ½ tsp salt
Dressing
- ½ tbsp sesame oil
- ¾ tbsp light soy sauce
- ½–1 tbsp sugar (adjust to taste)
- ¾ tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp chili oil
- ½ tbsp sesame seeds
- ½ tbsp minced garlic (optional)
Instructions
- Slice the cucumbers: Rinse the Persian cucumbers thoroughly. Slice one end of each cucumber at an angle to create oval-shaped slices. Continue slicing the cucumbers at this angle to your preferred thickness.
- Salt the cucumbers: Place the sliced cucumbers in a bowl or container and sprinkle with ½ teaspoon of salt. Mix well to distribute the salt evenly.
- Refrigerate to draw out water: Cover the bowl or container and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes. This process helps draw excess water out of the cucumbers, keeping the salad crisp.
- Rinse and drain: After refrigerating, drain the released water from the cucumbers. Quickly rinse the cucumbers under cold water for about 10 seconds to remove excess salt, then return them to the bowl or container.
- Add the dressing: To the cucumbers, add ½ tablespoon sesame oil, ¾ tablespoon light soy sauce, ½ to 1 tablespoon sugar (depending on your sweetness preference), ¾ tablespoon rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon chili oil, ½ tablespoon sesame seeds, and the optional ½ tablespoon minced garlic.
- Mix and serve: Stir all ingredients together until well combined. Serve immediately and enjoy this refreshing Asian cucumber salad as a side dish or snack.
Notes
- Adjust the amount of sugar to suit your taste preference for sweetness.
- Using Persian cucumbers or other small, thin-skinned cucumbers works best for this salad.
- Minced garlic is optional but adds an extra layer of flavor if desired.
- Chili oil adds heat; adjust according to your spice tolerance.
- Refrigerating the cucumbers helps maintain a crisp texture by drawing out excess moisture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Asian
Keywords: Asian cucumber salad, easy cucumber salad, no-cook salad, refreshing side dish, spicy cucumber salad, sesame cucumber salad
